Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych – Semi-final preview: BNP Paribas Masters 2011
All eyes are set on the semi-final rounds of the last ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Masters Series event of the current year, the BNP Paribas Masters. World number four, Roger Federer of Switzerland, will take on the
seventh ranked Czech competitor, Tomas Berdych, in the second semi-final clash on Saturday night.
The highly anticipated contest features two of the Top-10 contestants and will be played on the indoor hard courts of Palais Omnisports in Paris, France. Both men have already faced each other on multiple times and have different
histories with this tournament so far.
The Paris Masters is the only ATP World Tour 1000 tournament Federer has never been able to reach the final. The Swiss is taking part in the event for the ninth time and this is only his second semi-final appearance. He was outplayed
by the Frenchman, Gael Monfils, in the round of four last year, after he held five match points. Winner of the 17 Master Series titles, Federer looks in a much better form this time round and with the world number one, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, pulling out
of the competition due to injury, it seems to be a perfect opportunity for the third seed to end his title drought in Paris.
On the other hand, this is the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament Berdych has ever won, back in 2005. The seventh ranked Czech has a 51-20 winning record in the running season, with one championship title to his name. Although Berdych
trails 4-9 against Federer in singles encounters, the Czech number one has won three out of four most recent encounters with the Swiss Maestro, giving him a psychological advantage over the third seed. These two met earlier this year in the quarter-finals
of the Cincinnati Master, with Berdych wining in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6(3), to reach the semis.
Federer came to Paris immediately after winning a championship title at home, the Swiss Indoors Basel, and has continued his winning impetus in the BNP Paribas Masters as well. He outclassed the unseeded Argentine competitor, Juan
Monaco, in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5, in the quarter-final round to book a place in the semi-final draw.
The fifth seeded Czech has been brilliant with his racquet in the tournament so far. He outplayed the 11th seed Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia in the third round to book a battle with the belligerent world number three,
Andy Murray of the Great Britain. Berdych stunned everyone on Friday night when he recovered from being one set down in the contest to turn the tables on the second seeded Briton in an enthralling three-set matchup, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, to reach the semi-final
round.
With the sublime form and being superior to Berdych in the rankings, Federer is regarded to be the hot favourite for winning the Saturday’s semi-final. However, Berdych can cause real trouble to any of the top class players on
his day and won’t let it go that easily in the semi-final. A three-setter with nail-biting finish is expected on Saturday, with Federer winning in the end.
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